Among 35-year-olds, especially among men, there was an excessive presence of risk behaviors linked to smartphone use (23% watch movies or videos while driving...), alcohol or drug use, and flying drowsiness. In concrete terms, 7% of European drivers demonstrated that they were driving while intoxicated. 11% of the drivers declared a habitual habit or had been about to have an accident caused by excessive alcohol consumption. This figure rose to 25% of men under 35 years of age. Likewise, 5% -and 17% of men under 35 years of age- lead to having smoked cannabis or consumed drugs.
These are the conclusions of the Thirteenth Barometer of Responsible Driving, published by the VINCI Autoroutes Foundation, in the sense that, at a time when a considerable increase in road traffic is expected, drivers are still maintaining their risky habits that not only endanger their health, but also that of the other passengers and cars that circulate.
Another worrying phenomenon is that 1 in 3 drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 do not wear a seat belt, as long as this is normal, it is a basic requirement to take the driving test.
Another conclusion that can be drawn from this barometer is the widespread use of Bluetooth-enabled telephones: although more than 1 in 2 drivers (56%) make telephone calls while driving, 71% do not consider it dangerous to do so and 18% have already had or have I was about to have an accident for that reason.
Including 66% make phone calls while driving, 42% on a regular basis, which is 5 points more than in 2018, and a figure to fear. Including sleepiness. 7% of European drivers identify drowsiness as one of the main causes of fatal accidents on the road in general and 20% on the motorway. And 26% have ever had the impression of having slept for a few seconds behind the wheel. More than one in six drivers (15%, 17%) have been in or nearly had a drowsy crash.
This 2023 edition also shows a growing lack of inhibition among drivers in terms of respecting traffic regulations and other users, the effects of which are very notable: 84% of those surveyed state that they have ever felt fearful of aggressive behavior by others drivers, a very high level that has not dropped since 2019.
“Although drivers are aware of the dangers of using a smartphone while driving, of lack of sleep or of alcohol and drug use, it is increasingly difficult for them to accept the mandatory conditions for driving a vehicle. Young people are especially interested in combining those of a social life with safe driving, even if it means taking risks”, explains Bernadette Moreau, General Delegate of the VINCI Autoroutes Foundation.
